Method and Apparatus for Identification

ABSTRACT

A method and system for reading an identifier from an object having a portion of a repeating image imparted thereon. The system preferably includes an imaging apparatus for imaging a portion of the repeating image from the object, the repeating image repeating in the direction of continuous travel of one or more objects through a printing location, at least the portion of the repeating image being printed to each of a plurality of objects, including the object, as the plurality of objects reach the printing location. The system further preferably includes a comparator for comparing one or more expected attributes of the imaged repeating image with one or more corresponding actual attributes of the imaged repeating image.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/338,602 filed Dec. 28, 2011 to Hanina, titled“Method and Apparatus for Fractal Identification”, which in turn claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/544,056,filed Oct. 6, 2011 to Hanina, titled “Method and Apparatus for FractalIdentification” the contents of each of these applications beingincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the identification of objects usingprinted identifiers, and more particularly to the identification ofsmall, uneven, differently shaped, or other objects, such as medicationpills, using one or more identifiers embedded in a fractal-based printedidentifier to create a visually complex fingerprint.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Counterfeit Medication

A counterfeit medication or a counterfeit drug is a medication orpharmaceutical product which is produced and sold with the intent todeceptively represent its origin, authenticity or effectiveness. Acounterfeit drug may contain inappropriate quantities of activeingredients or none at all, may be improperly processed within the body(e.g., absorption by the body), may contain ingredients that are not onthe label (which may or may not be harmful), or may be supplied withinaccurate or fake packaging and labeling. Counterfeit medicinal drugsinclude those with less or none of the stated active ingredients, withadded, sometimes hazardous, adulterants, substituted ingredients,completely misrepresented, or sold with a false brand name. Otherwiselegitimate drugs that have passed their date of expiry are sometimesremarked with false dates. Low-quality counterfeit medication may causeany of several dangerous health consequences including side effects,allergic reactions, in addition to their obvious lack of efficacy due tohaving less or none of their active ingredients. Medicines which aredeliberately mislabeled in order to deceive consumers—includingmislabeled but otherwise genuine generic drugs—are counterfeit.

Since counterfeiting is difficult to detect, investigate, quantify, orstop, the quantity of counterfeit medication is difficult to determine.Counterfeiting occurs throughout the world, although there are claimsthat it is more common in some developing countries with weak regulatoryor enforcement regimes. It is estimated that more than 10% of drugsworldwide are counterfeit, and in some countries more than 50% of thedrug supply is counterfeit. In 2003, the World Health Organizationestimated that the annual earnings of counterfeit drugs were over US$32billion.

The considerable difference between the cost of manufacturingcounterfeit medication and price that counterfeiters charge is alucrative incentive. Fake antibiotics with a low concentration of theactive ingredients can do damage worldwide by stimulating thedevelopment of drug resistance in surviving bacteria. Courses ofantibiotic treatment which are not completed can be dangerous or evenlife threatening. If a low potency counterfeit drug is involved,completion of a course of treatment cannot be fully effective.Counterfeit drugs have even been known to have been involved in clinicaldrug trials.

Medication Identification

In addition to the problem with counterfeit medications, simpleidentification of medication is also an extremely large problem. Morethan 80% of adults in the U.S. take at least one pill a week, whetherprescription, OTC, vitamin or herbal. Yet the pills they are taking aredifficult to identify based on their visual characteristics alone. Pillidentification, or the inability to correctly visually identify a pill,is a large contributing factor to medication errors. These errors canoccur anywhere along the drug-taking process. Difficulty with pillidentification is further exacerbated when patients are older, have someform of impairment, take multiple drugs or have limited health literacy.1.5 million people are harmed each year because of medication errors Thecost of treating drug-related injuries in hospitals is approximately$3.5 billion per year. The actual number of medication errors ispresumably much higher since not all medication errors lead to injury ordeath. A pill's poor labeling and packaging are thought to cause onethird of medication errors, while studies have also shown that a pill'sshape and color are important factors in drug identification.

Existing Identification and Anti-Counterfeiting Technologies

There are several technologies that have been employed in an effort tocombat the counterfeit drug problem, and to allow for identification ofmedication. An example is radio frequency identification which useselectronic devices to track and identify items, such as pharmaceuticalproducts, by assigning individual serial numbers to the containersholding each product. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) isworking towards an Electronic pedigree (ePedigree) system to track drugsfrom factory to pharmacy. This technology may prevent the diversion orcounterfeiting of drugs by allowing wholesalers and pharmacists todetermine the identity and dosage of individual products. Sometechniques, such as Raman spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-RayDiffraction (EDXR) can be used to discover counterfeit drugs while stillinside their packaging. Other more traditional systems may be applied tosuch medication identification, such as barcoding being provided onmedication packaging (either one or two dimensional). For such a use,however, any damage to the barcode, difficulty in printing the barcode(such as deformation based upon printing surface), or obscuring aportion of the barcode may render the barcode inoperative.

Marking individual pills with one or more identifiers is considered auseful method for identification, but has been traditionally thought ofbeing cost prohibitive while offering only minimal improvement overpackaging marking. One or more barcodes may be employed (either one ortwo dimensional) and may be printed to individual medication pills,instead of, or in addition to being printed to the medication packaging.Such a printing process may be implemented by employing one or moreappropriate printing apparatuses, such as a pad printing apparatusprovided by Printing International® N.V./S.A., for example. Thus, eachpill may be individually printed with the use of such a pad printingapparatus. Laser marking has also been used to print high-resolutionimages or barcodes directly onto pills. In consumable products, Mars®,Inc. utilizes inkjet or pad printers to print images cheaply ontoindividual pieces of candy. Indeed, U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,045 describes asystem for printing multi color images on a candy by maintaining adirectional registration of the candy between printing steps. In eachinstance, holding each individual medication pill or candy is performedby vacuuming the pieces in place, and holding the piece firmly in placebetween steps so that orientation of the piece during printing does notchange. Other patents and applications assigned to Mars®, Inc. describea number of systems and methods for printing food grade inks onto shapedcandy elements.

While one or two dimensional barcodes have been used to serializeindividual pills and verify authenticity and identity, but as recognizedby the inventors of the present invention, their designs are relativelyeasy to replicate, require fixed surface areas and specific alignmentfor printing, and are rendered unusable if occlusion occurs due tohandling or if the barcode is damaged. Unlike forensic features, whichare embedded into an item, in barcode technology the item's physicalattributes are completely distinct from the barcode itself. Further,whether using such a pad printing process, or employing other printingmethods such as ink jet printing or laser marking for imparting markingsto candy or medication pills, the inventors of the present inventionhave recognized that the need for purposefully handling individual pillsmay be time consuming and expensive. Further, the described printedelements may fail to provide robust images sufficient to act as a uniqueidentifier for a particular batch of processed elements. For such a use,as noted, any damage to the barcode, difficulty in printing the barcode(such as deformation based upon printing surface), or obscuring aportion of the barcode may render the barcode inoperative. Additionally,barcodes may be easily copied and applied to counterfeit objects. Noneof these systems are sufficient for imparting robust identificationinformation to a pill or other candy object.

Similar problems of identification of other products or objects, such asconsumer products and the like, may also arise. While holographicprinting on hang tags and the like has been employed in an effort tomark such objects, and to perhaps stop counterfeiting of these objects,these tags may be removed and possibly copied as printing on a singletag may not be seen as a particularly difficult deterrent. Thus, notonly is secure identification impossible, varying levels of desiredsecurity cannot be employed.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus thatovercome the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, astandardized process for labeling and identifying medication and otherobjects is provided, and in particular may comprise a system and methodfor printing an identification pattern to a plurality of regularly orirregularly shaped and arranged objects. In particular, a fractalpattern is preferably printed as the identification pattern onto aplurality of medication pills or other objects. At a later time,computer vision may be applied to read these applied fractal labels toautomatically confirm identification and authenticity of the pills orother objects, irrespective of orientation, partial occlusion, orpartial damage of the printed fractal image. Finally, different levelsof fractal dimensions (the number of times the fractal pattern isrecursively printed within itself) may be printed and therefore readfrom these fractal images employing different resolution imagingdevices, providing varying levels of security and precision in theidentification process while allowing for ease of identification and areduced usability burden. Thus, imaging devices with lower resolutionimaging capabilities may be able to resolve one or two fractaldimensions and provide a lower, less expensive, consumer oriented levelof authentication, while higher resolution imaging devices may be ableto resolve seven or more fractal dimensions, thus providing additionalsecurity where desired.

Security Approaches

The inventors of the present invention have recognized that four schemeshave typically been used by pharmaceutical manufacturers to identify andauthenticate medication.

-   -   1) Overt on-product marking including holograms, packaging        graphics, etc. Overt features allow the public to see whether a        medication is false or not, which may be useful during the drug        taking process to flag counterfeits, and to allow individuals to        confirm that they are taking the correct medication.    -   2) Covert marking, including invisible ink, embedded images and        watermarks, etc. Covert features are unidentifiable to the        public and are usually places on the medication packaging. Such        covert markings provide a higher level of security than overt        marking as they are more difficult to copy.    -   3) Forensic marking, including chemical, biological and DNA        taggants. Forensic features, which are integrated into the        physical properties of the medication, are available for even        higher security authentication or where scientifically tested        authentication of the item may be required. Of course,        destruction of the product may be required for authentication,        and a change to the manufacturing process of those items is        necessary for implementation.    -   4) Track and trace solutions, including bar codes,        serialization, Radio Frequency Identification/RFID tags, etc.        Track and trace technologies allow for near real-time medication        tracking throughout the supply chain from the manufacturer to        the pharmacy, and to the patient, and have been typically        employed by entities along the supply chain. While end users        have not been traditionally included in this solution, as noted        above, such systems are becoming more readily available for end        users.        While each approach has advantages and disadvantages, employing        components from all four solutions is desirable to effectively        identify and authenticate medications. While one or more of the        above schemes are typically employed on medication packaging,        the inventors of the present invention have recognized that        labeling the individual pills or capsules may provide an even        more robust solution. This allows for both identification and        authentication to occur even if a medication has been separated        from its packaging. Throughout the supply chain, medications        typically change hands—from the manufacturer to the distributor        to the repackager to a secondary distributor and then to the        pharmacy—many times before they end up with the patient.        Therefore, this ability to identify medications down to the        identity of a single pill, may provide substantial additional        benefit.

Fractal Encoding

A fractal is a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be splitinto parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-sizecopy of the whole, a property called self-similarity. A fractal oftenhas the following features:

It has a fine structure at arbitrarily small scales.

It is too irregular to be easily described in traditional Euclideangeometric language.

It is self-similar (at least approximately or stochastically).

It has a Hausdorff dimension which is greater than its topologicaldimension (although this requirement is not met by space-filling curvessuch as the Hilbert curve).

It has a simple and recursive definition.

Because they appear similar at all levels of magnification (at eachprinted dimension), fractals are often considered to be theoreticallyinfinitely complex (in informal terms).

By encoding one or more pieces of identification information into such afractal through the use of one or more predetermined fractal type,color, or other fractal parameter, and printing or otherwise etching theresulting fractal onto a plurality of medication pills or other objects,a robust and secure medication or object identification scheme may beprovided. Varying resolutions and complexities of such fractals may beemployed in order to impart desired levels of security. More complicatedfractals having a greater number of dimensions (and thus allowing animaging device with higher levels of resolution to recognize the fractalpattern more completely at these greater levels of resolution may beemployed for use with objects needing higher levels of security, asthese more complex fractals are more difficult (or impossible) to copy,requiring at least higher quality printers and readers that may not beeasily available. As further recognized by the inventors of the presentinvention, a low-cost tool such as a webcam combined with computervision software may be provided to a patient to properly image andidentify a medication at a lower level of security.

Once applied, the fractal image provides a robust identification systemthat is resilient against identification when partially occluded, orwhen printing is imperfect because of object shape, position, surfacetexture or the like. Thus, one or more predetermined characteristics ofa pill or other object may be employed to be used as part of anidentifier for the object. In such a manner, not only is the fractalimage used to prevent against counterfeiting as it is difficult orreproduce, but further various characteristics of the object, such ascolor, shape, texture, markings and the like, may combine with such afractal image to produce a unique fractal/object characteristiccombination. As the characteristics of the fractal alone are known, thefractal image may act as a calibration tool to determine any influencethe color, for example, of the pill may have on the actual fractalcolor, thus allowing for an accurate determination of pill color. Insuch a manner, these noted characteristics of the object may cause oneor more distortions in the shape, color, or other attribute of theprinted fractal image, these distortions being potentially resolvableand recognizable at differing desired imaging resolutions, providingdiffering levels of security. While a pill may also distort barcodes andother printed images, barcodes include thick lines and may hide anydetails of geometry changes. It is the unique structure of a fractal,and its multi-dimensional, intricate structure, that makes it ideal forperforming this task as less of the pill surface is obscured, allowingfor additional opportunities for measuring such distortion and othersubtle geometric changes in a medication pill or other item. The use ofreference points in such a printed fractal image, and expected distancestherebetween or orientations thereof, may thus allow for precisedetermination of distortions of the image based upon printing techniquesand pill shape.

Furthermore, because of the self replicability of fractal images, theapplication of these unique fractal identifiers may be generated thatmay be applied substantially simultaneously to a large group ofmedication pills or objects without regard to orientation or relativepositioning of the objects during printing. The resulting identificationimages are robust even if portions of the printed images are notproperly printed, or are damaged, obscured or otherwise occluded. Thus,during a preferred printing process, these pills or other objects needonly be maintained in approximately a single layer during the printingprocess. Strict orientation and arrangements of the medication pillsduring printing or subsequent imaging is not required (in that fractalpatterns are recursive patterns that may be viewed at any level ofdetail and give the same information). Additionally, the entire portionof the fractal need not be properly printed on the pill, providingadditional robustness in the printing process. Thus vacuuming of thepills in a particular orientation for printing is not necessary,allowing a relatively disorganized set of pills to be printed at onetime.

Additionally, multiple fractal patterns may be overlaid, thus producinga more complex identification image. These overlaid fractals may beelectronically combined before printing, thus requiring a singleprinting pass, or may use multiple printing passes, thus, printingmultiple fractals at different times on the pills. These overlaidfractal patterns may also be selected to provide different imagingresults, such as a first fractal image allowing for a more accuratemeasurement of shape and color of the medication pill, and anotherfractal image providing various medication information. Further, byproviding more complete coverage of a pill surface, while simultaneouslyperhaps allowing substantial portions of the pill surface to be viewablealong with the fractal image, the geometry of the pill and any unique oridentifiable geometric characteristics may be more accurately determinedthrough a measurement of distortion of the fractal images by the shapeof the pill.

Therefore in accordance with one or more printing mechanism embodimentsof the invention, because any portion of the fractal image is sufficientto provide all of the information, a conveyer mechanism may be providedfor forwarding, in either a continuous or batch processing manner, aplurality of medication pills to a printing area, in addition to the useof the individual pill printing schemes of the prior art. If forwardedin a batch manner, a fractal image is preferably printed on the areacontaining the medication pills in a manner employing, by way of exampleonly, ink jet printing technology of the type described above withreference to the '045 patent, the contents thereof being incorporatedherein by reference. Other printing or etching technologies, such aslaser etching, laser marking, photographic exposure, chemical etching,photolithography, solid ink printing or the like may be employed, eachpreferably providing different and varying possible resultingresolutions for offering differing levels of security. Additionally, oneor more medication pills may be coated with a laser or light sensitivematerial that allows for marking of the pill, while being consumable byhumans. However, unlike the '045 patent, rather than managing objectspiece by piece, in accordance with the present invention, because of thenature of fractal images, a single image may be provided to theplurality of medicine pills at one time. In such a manner, each pillwill receive only a portion of such an image. Because of the selfreferential nature of fractals, this part of the image will besufficient to provide an identifiable amount of information that may berecovered with computer visual recognition technology. Of course,batches of such pills may be manually or otherwise placed in a printingarea, and removed after printing.

If forwarded in a continuous manner, a fractal pattern that may havebounds in the direction across the direction of travel of the pluralityof pills, but is continuously repeatable in the direction of travel, maybe applied. In this manner, a very large number of such pills may beprocessed continuously and inexpensively, and therefore in accordancewith other continuous manufacturing and processing of such pills.

While the invention is described as relating to medication pills, theinvention may be applied to any objects in which such an identificationapplication may be beneficial, including any type of small, uneven, orirregularly-shaped object part, including for pricing, and anywhere atraditional bar code or two dimensional bar code may be employed, andwhere the integrity of the item makes it important to track and identifythe object.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification anddrawings.

The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relationof one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, andthe. apparatus embodying features of construction, combinations ofelements and arrangement of parts that are adapted to affect such steps,all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scopeof the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made tothe following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary medication pill with an exemplary fractalimage printed thereon in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an increased resolution portion of the exemplary fractalimage of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary medication capsule with an exemplary fractalimage printed thereon in accordance with an alternative embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a distorted fractal image printed on a portion of amedication pill in accordance with yet another an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 depicts a conveyer system for conveying batch processing groupsof objects for processing in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 depicts a group of pills for batch processing in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts application of different fractal patterns to a group ofmedication pills in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram depicting a printing and imaging processin accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram depicting image processing in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed embodiments of the invention will now be described makingreference to the following drawings in which like reference numbersdenote like structure or steps.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an ink jet, lasermarking system, or other printing or etching system may be employed inorder to print a plurality of medication pills with a predeterminedfractal image. Other acceptable printing systems may also be employed,and may include, by way of example only, and without limitation, laserprinting, laser etching, photographic imaging, photolithographytechniques, solid ink printing, or the like. One or more known edibleink products may also be employed in the printing process. Invisible, UVsensitive, heat sensitive, and other appropriate inks may be employed.Each medication pill may further be coated with a laser or other lightsensitive or otherwise sensitive coatings that, when caused to react,may be employed to mark the medication pills, while remaining edible byhumans. Furthermore, single or multiple color printing may be employed.

Fractal Printing

Referring first to FIG. 1 depicting a first embodiment of the invention,a fractal image 110 is shown printed to a medication pill 100. As isshown, the fractal image covers a substantial portion of the pillsurface while possible still allowing for viewing of the pill surfacebased upon printing techniques, pill positioning, fractal selection,etc. fractal image 110 may cover substantially less than all of thesurface of medication pill 100.

As is further shown in FIG. 2, a fractal image 110 is once again printedto medication pill 100. Also shown is a magnified portion 210 of fractalimage 110. Because of the self-similarity nature of fractal images, ascan be seen, magnified portion 210 of fractal image 110 lookssubstantially similar to the whole of fractal 110, and is theoreticallyidentical. This self similarity continues, theoretically, to aninfinitely small printed image. Of course in practice, the levels (ordimensions) of self similarity available are limited by printingresolution, and the ability to “see” these multiple dimensions may bedependent upon an imaging resolution of an imaging device. The presentinvention exploits these features of reality in order to provide avaried solution applicable in different security situations.

The printing of fractal patterns is not limited to pill-shapedmedication. As is shown in FIG. 3, such a fractal image 310 may beprinted to a capsule medication 300 comprising first and second capsuleportions 301 and 302. When printed to such a capsule, the fractal imagemay take the shape of the capsule, and may be distorted thereon in apredictable manner. Furthermore, if printed after the capsule has beensealed, any discrepancy between positioning of fractal images on thecapsule portions 301 and 302 may be employed to determine thepossibility of the capsule having been opened or otherwise tamperedwith. Of course, solid capsule shaped pills may also be printed, butwill not include capsule portions.

Fractal Resolution

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, theuse of high resolution printing and imaging techniques may be employedwhen more robust security measures are required, increasing thedifficulty of copying such an image, and leading to greater accuracy inidentification of each item. Determinations of the maximum resolution ofsuch printed fractals may be identified by building such fractals from asmallest possible printed pattern, thus bounding the lowest fractalresolution. Alternatively, such fractal images may be generated in atraditional form, by starting with a largest fractal image, and thendividing these larger images into smaller and smaller objects, until apredetermined limit or printing resolution is reached. Such increasedresolution may also allow for more precise measurements of the detailsof the fractal image, such as one or more distances between variousportions thereof, ratios of one or more various measured lengths orangles of various portions thereof, etc., texture of the medication pillsurface, color of the medication pill surface, etc. which may then becompared to expected values to confirm authenticity and identification.

Fractal Complexity

Furthermore, various types of fractals may be employed based upon adesired level of security. Thus, more complex versions of fractal imagesmay be employed where a more secure identification system is desired.Variations in such fractal images may include changes in angles, length,number of pixels employed, distribution of one or more characteristicsor pixel density, purposeful omission of particular pixels, use ofparticular color combinations on a planned or randomized basis. Not onlymay generally more complex images be used, but a higher resolutionprinting process may also be employed, thus allowing for more preciseprinting of multiple fractal dimensions, and eventual recall andanalysis of the fractal images by higher resolution imaging devices atdeeper acquisition resolution. Furthermore, as noted above, combinationfractals may be employed to provide additional robustness againstcounterfeiting, and for determining identity. These combined fractalsmay be particularly chosen to allow for determination of different typesof information. Thus, a first or more fractals may be employed tomeasure for detection of distortion that may be a result of the shape ofthe pill, while a second or more fractals may be employed for encodinginformation and for prevention of replication of the fractal images.Additionally, various color gradient application may allow for thecalibration of the fractal image, the pill, or other object.

Referring next to FIG. 8, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, a desired level of security may first be defined at step 810.Then, at step 820, a corresponding necessary printing resolution may bedetermined, and at step 830, one or more appropriate printingtechnologies may be identified that will provide sufficient printingresolution to allow for the desired level of security. Finally, at step804, a predefined fractal image is printed to the medication pill usingthe determined printing technology. Of course, if any of steps 810, 820or 830 are predetermined, they can be skipped, or at a minimum,responses to these steps can be predefined.

After printing such a medication, in order to properly identify thepill, imaging steps may be employed. As is further shown in FIG. 8, adesired level of identification security may be defined at step 850, andthereafter, at step 860, a corresponding imaging apparatus may beselected. Thus, if simple visual identification by an end user orpatient is desired, a webcam associated with a mobile device or the likemay be employed to image a high level and one or more additionaldimensions of the fractal image, even if substantially more fractaldimensions have been printed. If, however, full authoritativeanti-counterfeiting identification is desired, an imaging device able toimage to a much higher resolution, thus allowing for the confirmation ofexistence of any desired number of fractal dimensions, may be employed.Next, at step 870, the selected imaging apparatus may be used to acquirean image of the printed fractal and pill. At step 880 the identity ofthe medication pill may be confirmed to the desired level of security.As with printing, if predetermined, any of steps 840 and 850 may beskipped or predetermined (as if the user only has a single imagingdevice).

Thus, as is further shown in FIG. 9, user may present a medication pillwith a fractal identification image printed thereon to a webcam or othermore sophisticated imaging device at step 910. This device may providelocal identification and confirmation of the medication, or may forwardsuch information to a remote location for further processing, and aprocessing step 915 to make this determination may be employed, or sucha determination may be made in advance. If local processing is not to beemployed, then at step 920, an acquired image or video sequence ofimages may be transmitted to a remote location for processing. At step9125, such remote processing may be performed, and at step 930, resultsof such processing may be returned to the imaging device. If at step 915it is determined that local processing is to take place, then processingpasses to step 940 and the pill is analyzed locally. After suchanalysis, the user is notified of the authenticity of the pill at step950. The remote server or local device may analyze the imaged pill,identify the pill, and may indicate a determination of authentication orcounterfeit. If counterfeit (as determined locally or remotely), theuser may be instructed to not take the pill, or alternatively that thepill is authentic in conjunction with step 950.

Fractal Deformation

As is next shown in FIG. 4, a fractal image 410 may be printed to amedication pill 400, and where a portion 411 of fractal image 410 may beprinted on a vertical or other portion 401 of pill 400 other than afront face thereof. In this situation, portion 411 of fractal image 410is printed over a pill feature 412, the edge. Printing over edge 412,and along vertical portion 401 will once again cause the fractal imageto be distorted in a predictable manner. This predictable distortion maybe used to further confirm that the pill is authentic, placing yetanother barrier to a counterfeit medication.

Thus, recognition of predictable distortion of the fractal image andadditional measures to avoid such copying may also be employed inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention. In particular, afractal pattern may be calibrated to include one or more of objectpattern, shape, texture, markings, line thickness (such as through theuse of thicker inkjet lines, or by altering a wavelength of a markinglaser, for example), or the like. As noted above, by including one ormore aspects of the object in the coding scheme and training an imagingsystem to recognize these expected fractal distortions, in order tocounterfeit the object, not only must the counterfeiter precisely copythe fractal image, but must also produce an object nearly identical tothe genuine object with respect to any number of attributes, any ofwhich may pose difficulty. As is further noted above, variouscalibration lines or the use of symmetrical fractal patterns may beemployed for distortion detection. Thus, for example, incorrect objectcolor may change an overall color of the fractal image applied thereto,thus indicating a non-authentic object. If printing resolution isreduced based upon curvature of a pill or other object (and therefore achange in distance from the print head), ink may be distributed in aknown manner, creating a unique signature and allowing for anyrecognition system to better determine the shape of the object moreaccurately. In an additional attempt to provide a difficult to copyimage, as noted above, a plurality of fractal images may be overlaid onan object, thus making copying even more difficult as variousinteractions between the various images may be more difficult todetermine.

In addition to including various features of the object in the fractaldefinition, these attributes may influence perception of the fractalimage by an imaging system. Thus, by being printed on a curved surface,for example, a fractal image may be deformed or otherwise influenced inpredictable ways, thus allowing for the user of such shape to beemployed to further differentiate authentic objects. Because orientationof objects is not necessary in accordance with embodiments of thisinvention, deformation of such a fractal pattern may be determined in anumber of likely orientations of an object, and then may be soclassified and found on printed objects. Further, if orientation of theobject can be controlled for printing, then precise fractal deformationmay be determined. As such imaging systems may learn such expectedfractal deformation, the deformation may be employed as part of theobject identification system.

Fractal Coding

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, informationmay be coded into the fractal, by placing such coding information intoone or more parameters that may be stored in a parameter file used togenerate the fractal. Thus, a batch number or the like may be used inthe place of particular parameters to be chosen by the user. Recognitionof the fractal, and reverse engineering thereof to recreate theparameter file may then provide access to the batch number or the likeby the user, for example. It is anticipated that only a predeterminednumber of parameters may be employed for particular coding, others ofthe parameters being adopted to vary in a pseudo-random or otherpredetermined manner in order to make it more difficult to predictfuture likely parameter combinations. Other information that may beencoded in such a fractal may comprise one or more of Medication Name,Dose, Manufacturer, Date of Manufacture, Expiration Date, Location orthe like. More personalized information may also be encoded into thefractal, including Patient Name, Prescription Regimen, Physician Nameand the like. Furthermore, fractal images may be printed at manufacture,at distribution, or in combination. Thus, a manufacturer printed fractalmay be provided for counterfeit prevention, while a second fractal,printed on top of the manufacturer fractal, or alongside thereof, may beprovided and printed by, for example, a pharmacist or the like. Thesefractal images may include particular prescription, patient, prescribingdoctor, date, and other patient and administration specific information.Thus, by allowing for such a combination fractal application, generaland specific identification information may be provided, resulting in arobust, personalized pill marking. Additionally, it may be possible thatone or the other of the manufacturer or local information may beprovided by other than a fractal image. Thus, by way of example, themanufacturer information may be provided in accordance with a fractalinformation, while the particular patient information may be provided bya one or two dimensional barcode, or other information providingprocess. Of course, just the local or manufacturer fractal images may beused.

Alternatively, randomly generated fractals may be employed andrecognized from a look-up table to be associated with a particular batchprocessing unit. Other methods may provide a library of fractal images,and indications of which fractals are to be applied to different type,shaped, or colored objects. Thus, it may be determined that a particulartype of fractal image is best applied to a particularly shaped object.Next, from this subset, a further subset may be determined as best forthe particular color of the object. A fractal image from this subset maythen be used or encoded further, and then applied. As will be furtherdescribed below, such a hierarchical selection process may also speedthe eventual fractal acquisition and recognition process.

Colors may be omitted from the fractal printing process deliberately inorder to increase the number of variations of the code. For example,omission of specific areas may indicate batch number or date.Furthermore, a range of colors may be included with absolute colors suchas black, white, etc. acting as reference points. Use of such a range ofcolors allows for more patterns to be created and utilized, thusincreasing a range of possible unique fractal images. Selection and/oromission of particular pixels in such a fractal image may be furtherused for variation to allow for randomization of predetermined fractalimages.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one may embed codesinto the fractal image that are distributed that can be properlyresolved and interpreted up in reasonable lighting conditions by a lowresolution camera. If higher resolution is available in the fractalimages, but cannot be precisely determined by the low resolution camera,that low resolution camera may further be employed to determine likelydistributions of color or shape across such a fractal that, whileperhaps not being precisely distinctive, do provide an additional levelof security above the simply lower resolution components of the fractalimage. Since these patterns are replicated, the system may decision fusemultiple instances of the same uncertain distribution to come up with amuch higher probability of confirmation.

Printing Techniques

Referring next to FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, a conveyer mechanism 510 is shown forwarding one or morebatch processing units 520. Conveyer mechanism 510 is shown as agravity-fed mechanism including a plurality of rollers, but any suchconveyer system may be employed, including gravity-fed, belt driven orotherwise powered conveyer systems, and may further be provided with orwithout a belt system for conveying the batch processing units 520. Ofcourse, any method for forwarding the batch processing elements,including hand delivery of the units, may be employed. Further, conveyermechanism 520 may comprise any desired method, apparatus or system forplacing one or more objects in a location to be imaged in a manner aswill be described below.

It is contemplated in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention that each batch processing unit 520 contain a plurality ofindividual objects, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention, a plurality of medication pills or the like. Such a pluralityof medication pills 610 are shown in FIG. 6. As shown, medication pills610 are preferably arranged in batch processing unit 520 in anunstructured manner, but generally in a single layer. While slightoverlap may be tolerable in accordance with the invention, a singlelayer presentation of the medication pills will allow for maximumexposure of the pills to an imaging apparatus, shown at 530 in FIG. 1.Such a batch processing unit may comprise from one to any number ofproperly physically locatable pills, and may further comprise a physicalstructure for holding the pills, or may simply comprise a conveyer orother forwarding or holding mechanism for presenting the one or morepills to a printing mechanism. Thus, as batch processing unit 520 isproperly positioned below imaging apparatus 530, imaging apparatus isemployed to administer a predetermined fractal image to the plurality ofmedication pills 610 at one time. Such printing may comprise a rasterprinting system, or may print or otherwise transfer a complete image tothe plurality of medication pills substantially simultaneously. As willbe apparent, each medication pill 610 will be printed with a portion ofthe predetermined fractal image. As noted above, because of the selfreplicating property of fractal images, these portions will includesufficient information to allow for proper identification of variousfractal dimensions at various desired imaging resolutions, thusproviding unique flexibility in imaging based upon desired securitylevels.

Thus, as is shown in FIG. 7, each medication pill 610 is preferablyforwarded for processing to have a fractal pattern imparted thereon.Such a fractal pattern may comprise a repetitive pattern 710, acontinuous pattern 720, or other desired fractal image. Each may be usedin either a batch processing or continuous processing situation. Suchfractal patterns may further comprise one or more combination fractalpatterns, in which two or more fractal patterns are combined to providea resulting complex fractal pattern. These complex patterns may becombined before printing, thus imparting the complex fractal pattern ina single printing pass, or alternatively, each pattern may be printed ina separate pass, thus layering the two or more individual fractals toprovide a resulting complex fractal image.

It may further be desirable to determine where the one or more pills orother objects are located in a single dimension (when printing is inaccordance with a raster type mechanism) or in a two dimensionalarrangement (such as a screen printing system or the like). In such amanner, ink may only be applied where such objects are present, thussaving ink and improving longevity of the system. Furthermore, bydetermining location of objects, and thus potentially batch size,particular fractal images may be employed that are properly suited tosuch batch size or arrangement of objects.

In addition to employing the batch processing method of FIGS. 5 and 6, acontinuous processing system may also be employed. In such a system, asimilar conveyer belt may be employed, in which medication pills orother objects are continuously passed beneath imaging apparatus 530, andmay preferably be employed in conjunction with a continuousmanufacturing process of such objects. A fractal pattern may preferablybe chosen that may be continuously replicated in a direction of travelof the medication pills, while being bounded in the direction acrosstravel, or may be easily repeated in the direction of travel so allmedication pills or other objects are printed with at least a portion ofthe fractal pattern.

Hardware Signature

It has been determined by the inventors of the present invention that aparticular image processing apparatus 530 may affect how the printingink is distributed on the surface of the medication pill or otherobject, thus, in combination with the printed fractal pattern, producinga printer signature, i.e. a printer specific rendering of the particularfractal pattern. The particular characteristics of the printer,including nozzle tolerance, humidity and a host of other factors mayinfluence an output fractal image. Such a printer signature may befurther used as an identifying feature of the printed fractal image.Such a signature may be similarly determined when other imagingtechniques, such as those described above, are employed.

This idea of printer signature may also be extended to product signatureand camera (or more broadly, imaging apparatus) signature. For example,a product signature may be based at least in part on how the productabsorbs the ink, how the pattern at higher resolution distributes theink, texture and reflectivity of the object, shape of the object, etc.Unique texture, shape, color specific to the object (pill) will “code”or distort the fractal into a unique ID. A camera or other imagingapparatus used to eventually image the printed fractal image may alsohave a unique signature in distorting the fractal image that may alsoact as an increase in security as it may be difficult to anticipate acamera that is to be used for imaging, if not an authentic system. Thesesignatures, as opposed to being deficiencies of the system, may beembraced to strengthen the robustness of the system. Such imageinfluences resulting from unrelated characteristics of systems used toimplement the system will be difficult/impossible to replicate. Througha decision fusion process combining the results of analysis of any oneor more of these attributes, an overall picture and confidence ofauthenticity or counterfeit may be determined.

Thus, the different hardware and pill interaction signatures, includingshape, texture, color of the object, or the like will all help tofurther “code” or distort the fractal in a unique way. Hence, the uniqueattributes of the product/item will help to create a unique fingerprintfor the fractal. The inventive system is therefore able to learn theunique characteristics of the product through computer vision trainingor the like, and not simply apply an out-of-context code to the item.

At higher resolutions of inkjet printing or other printing, marking oretching processes, codes may be embedded that higher resolution camerasare able to read as well. In the event that inkjet printers can nolonger print at a high enough resolution, then feathering or expectedfeathering distribution may also be picked up based on a distributionthat may be unique to the printer (printer's signature). Alternatively,other higher resolution printing or etching techniques may be employed.In the event that a particular camera, such as a webcam or the like,does not have sufficiently high resolution for acquisition of aparticular fractal image, then expected blurring patterns may be read.This blurring pattern may therefore be provided as a signature initself, and may be learned through computer vision and machine learningor the like by teaching with the lower resolution camera. Multipleinstances of the feathering signature may suggest likelihood ofidentification. Any such recognition system may rely on confidencelevels of detection and confirmation. Thus, even if identification isconfirmed, a threshold may determine confidence over suspicion ofcounterfeit (i.e. how confident the system is that the item isauthentic). Many instances of low confidence levels (even if abovethreshold levels), as received and accumulated over time from any numberof different users at a centralized location, may indicate a potentialcounterfeit issue and raise a flag remotely to anti-counterfeitauthorities to double check a medication source, or alert a user toreport the possibility of a counterfeit medication source.

When printing, and thereafter requesting image acquisition, at higherlevels of resolution, the actual printing method may be employed to codeinformation when continuous lines or images may not be able to beprinted at these higher resolutions. For example, in the case of inkjetdots at very high resolution, the relative positioning of the ink jetdots may be changed, in order to be arranged, for instance, in a form ofa proximity to a center of some printed object or other marker orattribute. Thus, similar to notes on a scale, these same dots may be useto allow for the encoding information even in cases when only lowprinting resolution is available, but high magnification imageacquisition may be available when the pill or object is to beidentified.

Robust Imaging Solution

As noted above, in all cases, because of the inherent replicability offractal images, the solution is effective even if only part of thefractal is printed on the pill. By the nature of fractals, any encodedID is repeated within the shape. Similarly, when reading, if part of thefractal is obscured or otherwise unreadable, the ID may still bedetermined. Many varieties of data can be encoded in the fractal (date,time, batch number, location, manufacturer, dose, item etc).Furthermore, writing or reading of the fractal image does not requirealignment of the object perfectly as only part of the fractal may begood enough (may need a percentage of the fractal to be printed on asurface for a specific webcam resolution and inkjet resolution).

Upon reading of a printed fractal identification image through the userof a standard barcode laser scanning device, image acquisition, or othermethod for reading information from the surface of the medication pill,various reference points may be used to aid in determining authenticity.Upon the determination of one or more of such reference pointspreferably defined by one or more of a pattern, color, combinationthereof or the like in a fractal image, distances and ratios to otherreference points may be determined and used to confirm authenticity, ora level of confidence in that authenticity, in a manner as describedabove. Thus, an object may be scanned, and existence of at least aportion of such a fractal may be determined. If there is enoughinformation in the portion of the fractal image to confirm identity,then identity is confirmed. If however, not enough information isavailable, various pieces of fractal images may be pieced together todetermine enough information. Alternatively, an occlusion or the likemay be effectively disregarded through such piecing together of thefractal image. Such information to be pieced together may be taken fromone or multiple fractal dimensions. Further, a user may be instructed tobring such an object closer to an imaging apparatus (or otherwise zoomin on the object), or be asked to switch to another medication pill forre-identification, in order to improve capture resolution. This may beparticularly important in difficult imaging environments, such as in theexistence of bad lighting conditions or the like, which may reduce aconfidence of precision of imaging. Such improved resolution may beemployed alone, or in conjunction with anticipated effects from one ormore object attributes, as noted above, in order to identify anauthentic printed fractal image.

Any applicable imaging system, such as a high resolution system, or awebcam system, will benefit greatly over the use of barcoding. Asorientation of the medication pill is not important, imaging of thefractal image can be performed at any angle of the pill. Furthermore, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention, various augmentedreality solutions may be employed in order to properly image themedication pill and fractal image, thus truly freeing up the user toimage the fractal image without any real issues regarding orientation orplacement of the pill. Such augmented reality solutions may also provideadditional information regarding the medication pill, including patientname, medication administration schedule information, prescribingdoctor's name, contact information, or any other information that may beuseful for the user to view.

Counterfeit Mapping

Once an authentication, or counterfeit is determined, such informationmay be provided to a remote location to accumulate such information.Each pill identification instance will result in an authenticityconfidence score. With the user's consent, instances of low authenticityconfidence may be reported to a centralized location, along with amedication image, GPS data, as well as time and date stamps.Higher-level authentication tests may be carried out at local pharmaciesusing higher resolution imaging devices. When sufficient notificationsof potential counterfeit medications have accumulated (confidenceflags), a geographic nexus of particular counterfeits will be determinedalongside likely illegal distribution channels, thereby aidinganti-counterfeit officials. Thus, if a high concentration of counterfeititems is found in a location, investigations may be employed in thatarea. Further, proper identifications can be confirmed. Variation inbatch coded information may be employed in order to further allow forconfirmation of particular medication generation time and locationstamps. Such information may be forwarded over the Internet or othertransmission system, such as transmission over a cellular telephoneconnection or the like, to a centralized location for analysis andaccumulation, for example.

Fractal Pattern Selection

Selection of the actual patterns to be employed may be performed inaccordance with consideration of one or more parameters to be encodedinto the fractal image, and further based upon a surface or medicationpill upon which the fractal image is to be printed. As differentinformation may be encoded into each fractal pattern, the selection andencoding of this information will make changes to the fractal pattern insubtle manners. Based upon a printing surface, expected distortion,amount and type of information to be encoded, printing technology to beemployed, or level of resolution in printing and imaging desired,different fractal patterns may be preferred and employed. In fact, eachsuch printed fractal provides a multi-dimensional pattern that comprisesthe above noted fractal signature. These dimensions may include one ormore of fractal image, texture of the surface, color of the medicationpill and shape and contours of the medication pill. These features maybe employed to aid in object recognition.

Furthermore, selection of particular types of base patterns (to bemodified by coding) may be performed in accordance with one or moreparticular tasks, pills or desired results. Thus, for example, one ormore simple fractal patterns, such as a Cantor fractal patterns may beemployed or lower security situations where identification is mostimportant. More complex types of fractal base images may be employed forother, security intense applications.

Example Applications

One or more possible applications are outlined below. This list shouldbe considered exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting theapplication of the inventive technology to other applications.

Such a fractal image may be applied as a security labeling system to anyitem that is created in batches and may be varied in shape, such asmedication pills in the manner as describe above. When combined with afacial recognition system, matching of patient and medication can beperformed. The fractal image may be applied as a game on candy as areplacement to a “scratch and win” system, thus creating a show and winapplication, requiring the showing of the candy with the fractal imagethereon being shown to an imaging device such as a web cam on acomputer, mobile device or the like.

Such a fractal image may be applied to handbags or other fabric/clothingon the inside of a garment or label (as difficult to replicate directlyonto a 3d texture/surface).

Such a fractal image system may also be employed with an identificationsystems employing facial recognition, or other biometric identificationsystem. Thus, identification of a patient or other user may be madeemploying one or more known identification systems, such as those notedabove or others. Pill identification may them be performed, and aconfirmation that the particular identified user is to take theidentified pill. If customized fractal images are to be used, the systemmay be able to determine whether the particular pill being imaged isbeing taken at the right time by the correct person. Thus, through theability to personalize such medication pills by batch number, patient,or particular pill dosage, a link between the pill and user may beestablished and confirmed. Release of such personalized information maytherefore be predicated on proper biometric or other identification.

The following features may also be provided in accordance with theinventive system, as related to reporting of various results ofidentification determinations. Use of the inventive fractalidentification systems may be employed to provide an audit trail for apill or object manufacturer. Thus, upon use of the inventive fractalrecognition system by a consumer, seller, or other individual, it may bepossible to log results and alert the manufacturer if imaged fractalidentifiers show low confidence (based on fractal integration withobject—shape, color, texture, curvature), thus perhaps indicating anintent to replicate or otherwise provide a counterfeit product. Suchinformation, along with location data, may be provided to authorities orother systems for tracking such counterfeiting, and in order todetermine or identify counterfeit drug distribution points, or otherareas with such high counterfeit drugs. Consumers may be provided withan incentive to check the identity of such fractal images, thusincreasing availability of such widely spread identificationinformation.

Similarly, to the extent that imaging of the fractal images determinesthat exact matches are present, similar information indicating positiveresults, and a likely absence of such counterfeiting may be provided tothe manufacturer. Such information may also include coded information,such as batch, time/date, location and other information that may beavailable. Consumers may also be provided this positive matchinformation so that they can be sure that their pill or other item isgenuine, and that their security is being safeguarded.

System Benefits

Benefits of employing the inventive fractal imaging system are myriad.The use of an ink jet printing process is easily available, andrelatively inexpensive while remaining flexible. Other printing oretching processes, such as one or more of those noted above, may beemployed when other combinations of cost and security are to beconsidered, or when mass printing is to be employed. Mass batch andcontinuous processing avoids costs associated with properly printingimages on individual pills or other objects. Thus, the fractal imagesmay be quickly modified, by including changes to the parameters forgenerating the fractal images, thus being indicative of various codingincluded in the fractal image.

A fractal library database that changes over time may be employed, inthe manner noted above, so that changes over time may be documented andlater confirmed. Such a fractal database may also be tailored to webcamresolutions commonly used in smartphones, thus providing fractal imageswith resolution acceptable and able to be imaged by standard webcams insmartphones. Since the ID can be confirmed via a consumer with a mobiledevice and smart phone, it means that no special scanning hardware isneeded. Thus, manufacturers or others may educate consumers to image andverify authenticity of an image, such as through imaging using a webcamon a mobile device or the like.

Confidence levels will allow for different security options. Thusdifferent levels of resolution may be employed based upon a level ofdesired security. Higher resolution images, requiring higher resolutionimaging devices may be employed for higher security applications, whilelower resolution imaging and printing may be employed for lower securityoptions. If the inkjet is a low quality printer, then distribution athigher resolutions (as measured by the camera) may suggest that fraudwas committed if the ink distribution (or one or more other printingattributes) is different to what is expected.

As noted above, since inkjet or other etching or printing technologiesmay allow for rapid changing of patterns, one can quickly update afractal pattern to be printed, and link the pattern to specific dates ofproduction and/or batch numbers. This may be especially useful forperishables or medications that go out of date. Also may be useful forfashion items where dates of production are important. Use of olderfractal patterns on newer objects may suggest counterfeiting, forexample Inks that fade over time may be employed, thus indicatingpassage of substantial time, or the like. Alternatively, inks that maybe wiped off or otherwise removed may be employed to allow formaintenance in the integrity of the item, while still providing desiredlevels of security.

As described above, it is easy to print whole or part of the fractalimage onto the medication as alignment is not critical. The inventivetechnology allows pills and objects of different shapes, curvature, andsizes to be labeled uniquely. In fact the unique shape, color andtexture of the item allows for a unique ID to be printed and can help todifferentiate close but not identical items. The shape of the pill oritem may have an influence on the way the fractal is printed allowingfor expected distortions in the pattern to be recognized. This robustsystem may be particularly useful in identifying counterfeit items thatmay have slightly different shapes.

As further described above, one or more fractal patterns may have anumber of different colors built in that act as a calibration code. Whenpills or other objects appear to be slightly different in color whencompared to the fractal-pill combination (a known color gradient andrange of the fractal and ratio with the pill), then a warning sign canbe issued. Thus, comparison of the color of the pill or other object tothe fractal, or consideration of an effect the color of the pill orother object may have on the color of the fractal may aid in thedetermination of status of the pill or other object. Furthermore, aseach object surface will have a unique texture, the fractal may bedistorted in a predictable, measurable manner in accordance with thisknown object surface texture. This allows for texture to be identifiedas well of a specific surface and differences flagged.

Fractal identification labeling is far superior to existing imaginglabels because it does not require the whole fractal necessarily to beprinted on the medication or other object. Use of the inventive printedfractal image will allow for occlusion by the user (due to fingersblocking image or poor environmental conditions) as only a portion ofthe image may be required to reach desired confidence levels. Such afractal identification label does not suffer from occlusion problems(e.g. traditionally, one number hidden or obscured may inhibit use ofthe ID system). Computer vision may therefore be used to learn and toidentify replicating blurred images in the fractal and/or expectedratios of patterns, colors or shapes. In the event that occlusion occursdue to the environment and/or finger occlusion, then the system may beable to “piece together” different parts of available fractalimages/sections, to create a complete code within a certainty range.Furthermore, fractal identification may operate better than a number, ormore traditional barcode, as it is more difficult to replicate.

This is the first universal pill labeling system developed throughgeometry. The problem with present day technology is that it does notlabel the pill, or if it does label the pill the information isinaccessible to the public or can be easily copied or destroyed. Thepresent invention is novel because it concentrates solely on theprinting of the pill and the organic nature of the fractal patternsthemselves, and the complexity embedded within them, to make the systemextremely difficult to replicate. The fractal patterns may blanket theentire surface of the pill. Any random segment of the pill, no matterhow small or how large, will be able to be used to identify it. This isa tremendous improvement over barcodes, which are static fixed-formlabels that do not lend themselves to different resolutions, and arealso easily copied, damaged, and do not adapt to the physicalconfiguration of a pill. Progressively higher levels of fractalresolution will also allow for progressively higher levels of securityauthentication. It is the first solution that addresses high securitypill identification needs with public accessibility.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,because certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method andin the construction(s) set forth without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that this description is intended to coverall of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall there between.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for reading an identifier from an objecthaving a portion of a repeating image imparted thereon, comprising: animaging apparatus for imaging a portion of the repeating image from theobject, the repeating image repeating in the direction of continuoustravel of one or more objects through a printing location, at least theportion of the repeating image being printed to each of a plurality ofobjects, including the object, as the plurality of objects reach theprinting location; and a comparator for comparing one or more expectedattributes of the imaged repeating image with one or more correspondingactual attributes of the imaged repeating image.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the expected characteristics of the repeating image areinfluenced by one or more of the object shape, color and texture of theobject.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein a high resolution imagingapparatus is employed to image a high resolution version of therepeating image.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein a counterfeitdetermination is made when a low number of the expected attributes ofthe imaged repeating image match actual attributes of the imagedrepeating image.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein a notification isprovided upon determination of a counterfeit.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein a match determination is made when a high number of the expectedattributes of the imaged repeating image match actual attributes of theimaged repeating image.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising anidentification system for determining an identification of a user;wherein the identification of the user is associated with the objectidentified in the match determination.
 8. A method for providing anidentifier to one or more objects, comprising the steps of: providingthe one or more objects to a printing location; and printing a repeatingcomplex image to the one or more objects; wherein the one or moreobjects are provided in a continuous manner; and wherein the repeatingcomplex image repeats in the direction of continuous travel of the oneor more objects, and is printed to a number of the one or more object asthey reach the printing location.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein theone or more objects are provided in a batch sequence.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein a single repeating complex image is printed to each ofthe one or more objects in each batch substantially simultaneously. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein one or more parameters of the repeatingcomplex image are modified in accordance with a batch identifier. 12.The method of claim 8, wherein the repeating complex image is printedwith a higher resolution when a higher level of security is desired. 13.The method of claim 8, wherein the repeating complex image furthercomprises a combination of one or more fractal images.
 14. A method forreading an identifier from an object having a portion of a repeatingimage imparted thereon, comprising the steps of: imaging a portion ofthe repeating image from the object, the repeating image repeating inthe direction of continuous travel of one or more objects through aprinting location, at least the portion of the repeating image beingprinted to each of a plurality of objects, including the object, as theplurality of objects reach the printing location; and comparing one ormore expected attributes of the imaged repeating image with one or morecorresponding actual attributes of the imaged repeating image.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the expected characteristics of therepeating image are influenced by one or more of the object shape, colorand texture of the object.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein a highresolution imaging apparatus is employed to image a high resolutionversion of the repeating image.
 17. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising the step of determining that an image is a counterfeit when alow number of the expected attributes of the imaged repeating imagematch actual attributes of the imaged repeating image.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising the step of providing a notification upondetermination of a counterfeit.
 19. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising the step of determining a match when a high number of theexpected attributes of the imaged repeating image match actualattributes of the imaged repeating image.
 20. The method of claim 19,further comprising the steps of determining an identification of a user,wherein the identification of the user is associated with the objectidentified in the match determination.